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1. NWFL Season IX, Pre-season Seeding Game 1 (#1 of 4)

An even matchup on paper, and a predictably rough game in practice. Almost a tie, almost back and forth several times as snakes (altho' for once not so much skulls) struck at the worst of times for both teams, but made the final statement against the Honeybadgers.

First half started rough, the 'Sons receiving and sending 2 zombies off the pitch right away, with a 3rd stunned. In response, the 'Badgers completely ignored the ball, and concentrated 100%R of their team on isolating one down Norse Blitzer and adjacent journeyman, threatening an 8-man foul, but only succeeded in a KO. The 'Sons needed 3 turns to get to the goal (and handed off to an Ulf on the way), and responded to challenge the crime scene, but were "pressured" to score their Turn 4.

End of Turn 4, the 'Sons kicked with only 8 on the field (including an Ulf KO'd), but the 'Badgers received with 9 of their own, including 1 regen'ing and with the added help of 1 new zombie - the Norse Kicker had been killed. In the first turn the Undead SI'd a journeyman, and KO'd the Norse DP and their 2nd Ulf, leaving only 5 Norse against the 9 Undead, and a Turn later (end of 5) they had a lone Ghoul in scoring range, well away from the ruck. A RR'd 1d set up a surprise chainpush to put a Blitzer in range of the ballcarrier (and KO'd a Wight in the process), and the Norse got away with 2 GFI's to mark the Wrodging Ghoul, and 3+ dodged with a Tackler to mark again!

Then the dice reminded both coaches who was really in charge. To end Turn 6, the 'Badgers snaked the gfi to knock the tackler free, and their star Jump Up PoMBer KO'd himself in the process. But in response, the 'Sons St 4 Blodging PoMBer missed his dodge. Turn 7, the Ghoul bit the bullet, succeeded with a 3+ Dodge from the Tackler, and gfi'd for the tying score.

Both Turn 8's were uneventful, and the half ended tied, 1-1.

2nd Half saw 9 Midnight Sons (a journeyman and their Kicker gone) standing against the best 10 Honeybadgers - or, rather, the best 9 plus the zombie that was their Kicker. But a Blitz opened a door a crack, and saw a zombie KO'd, and the 'Badgers responded by Piling On to KO the Norse Runner. But then the dice again took control as a snaked gfi left the ball alone and in range of the 'Sons, and a Norse St 4 Blodger was able to gather it on the 5 yard line to end Turn 1. The team had screened out all but the Undead Wrodger, who had a -2d skull and RR'd to another skull, KO'ing himself in the effort. However, the next turn the Norse coaching staff, in their pre-mature celebration, mis-positioned players and overlooked the Undead Jump Up player, who was able to 1d the ballcarrier into the end-zone to make it a technical Turn 3 Score for the 2-1 'Sons lead.

Turn 4, the same 10 Undead faced off against 9 Norse, as their Runner woke up. With a deep kick, right away a Lino and Zombie went off KO'd, and a cage formed midfield near the LoS. A desperate Norse 1d RR'd to take out Undead St 4 super-star killer Reggie Wight, KO'd, but a gap was needlessly left open, and the 'Badrgre Wrodger ghoul ballcarrier never hesitated. The Norse had no RR's, and no choice but to try to dodge an Ulf free for a gfi Blitz - which worked twice, for a (no casualty) surf! The Norse were able to get their last player to the ball - and then failed the GFI for the pickup attempt, tripping and leaving it unmarked to end Turn 6, on the 5 yard line.

The 'Badgers were also out of RR's, but were able to dodge free and scoop the ball - but then failed their GFI to get beyond range of a 2d block, and stunned the player, leaving no one in scoring range, and after a Turn 8 exchange of pointless blocks, the game ended, somehow, despite everything, 2-1 'Sons.

The final butcher bill was in favor of the Honeybadgers, and despite them suffering more casualties! The Midnight Sons lost a kicker RIP'd, who perfectly replaced the SI'd (-St) rookie Zombie, and both sides had a journeyman MNG, while Regen covered the rest for the 'Badgers, and the 'Sons apo remained uncalled upon.”